I have a stock 350 in my Sons 70 Buick Skylark. I'm looking for the best way to either rebuild it or buy a new one. Where's the best place to buy a complete 350? I'm in San Rafael, Northern Calif. 94901. Or is their a shop out here that rebuilds a nice Buick 350? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank, Rick
What’s the reason for rebuild? Knock? Oil burning? A basic rebuild should not be too hard to get done. Is it a 350-4 barrel? As it may be a higher compression engine and a basic rebuild may end up with less power than originally due to piston designs available.
I'm very close to you in Berkeley, CA and sort in the same boat as you. Trying to build and engine for my Skylark. Good luck and let me know if you want to meet up and talk Buick sometime!
X2 if the engine isn't burning oil or knocking leave it as is. A "complete" 350 Buick such as a remanufactured engine is going to be a VERY generic rebuild. The mass rebuilders don't seem to care about any other engine design except the small block Chevy
No crate engines like a SBC. Reman long blocks are all there is, built with cheap parts. Find a local 70+ engine to build on the side if the car still runs.
Maybe if the two of you got together, with all the information you needed, went to a reputable shop, you could get a deal on work since they are doing 2 engines, they only have to set up machine once. Saves time . Should save you money. Any oiling modifications or other light work you could probably do between the two of you also. Saving you both a few dollars.
Check with Hector, not sure of his exact user ID here. Seems to have a lot of parts and is in CA. Carhex maybe??
That's a good idea! Yeah I think Hector is Carhex. But he's down in LA, about 7 hours from us, so unless he wants to make that drive then things would still need to be shipped. What's your son's want to do with the Skylark? Buick 350s are not all that hard to find on Craigslist, some even run! I got a complete carb to oil pan motor will all the brackets for $350 a couple years ago. It's hard to find a used up 455 core for that much around here.
Pat, thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was a good builder close to us. I'll keep looking and asking people I know. Alec, the Car has been sitting for over 4 years now. My son and I had it running, he had a small accident in the front end, so i needed to get a radiator, bumber, grill etc., but never got the car completed again. I'm thinking of finally getting it running again, and painted, but I was considering doing a rebuild so when it's done it will a great driver. My son is now married, doesn't really have space for it or interest anymore like he did before, but I wanted to finish it and get it freshened up. I was hoping to find someone vlose enough, Hector might be a good option.
Mr. Sony, thanks, that's good to know. I was hoping that was NOT the case, but it sounds like that's the problem.
Thanks Mark. Yes unfortunately that is true, I was hoping you guys knew of someone out here that really knows his BUICK 350's
Here's the shop I was thinking about trying when it comes time: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hubbard-al-machine-shop-hayward Apparently the owner's dad was a well know racer and engine builder? Keep in mind that I've never talked to these people so I have no idea if they know their sh!t or not. My plan was to take my block there and have it cleaned, magna-fluxed, and sonic tested and use this trip to sort of evaluate their legitimacy if that makes sense. Just try to see if they know what they're doing and are willing to work on or knowledgeable about Buick engines. If they say "Why don't you just swap an LS motor into that?" then I will look elsewhere haha.
